Mrs Ruta McKenzie, of Lincoln, MNZM for services to Pacific education
Ruta McKenzie has been the Pacific Cultural Lead and Lead Facilitator with CORE Education, providing cultural and strategic guidance. She led the Pasifika Leadership Programme and the Southern Pasifika Project for the Ministry of Education and was co-researcher in the TLRI research in Christchurch, exploring how young children express and develop working theories about language, identity and culture. She has shared discourse and dialogue with the Pacific Advisory Group. She is a member of Sosaiete Aoga Amata Samoa I Aotearoa Incorporated, a group of Samoan teachers and former educators who provide a range of services. Mrs McKenzie has worked with pedagogical leaders in the updated Te Whāriki 2017.